Justice Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona is remembered by a former classmate as a “deeply religious Catholic” who displayed gentlemanly qualities during his school days at Presentation College, San Fernando.

Carmona, who attended the school from 1964-1972, studied Language Arts at Sixth Form, earning an “A” at the Advanced Level examinations. His other areas of study included Latin, Spanish and English Literature.

In a telephone interview yesterday, a former classmate, who requested anonymity, remembered Carmona, whom he referred to by his middle name, Thomas, as a student who was “very involved in school life” and also served as school prefect while in forms five and six.

“He was real gentlemanly and a very good person who was a deeply religious Catholic,” he said, adding Carmona was also active in the chess club.

“He was also very attached to his community of Fyzabad and returned there to teach at the Fyzabad Anglican School after leaving school,” his friend added. Presentation College principal Errol Jaikaransingh yesterday said while he was not personally acquainted with Carmona, having assumed the principalship long after Carmona had graduated, the Carmona name was known to him due to the judge’s “good academic record” while in the school.

“He had a good all-round record and persons with that kind of record are remembered throughout time,” Jaikaransingh said.

“In my two interactions with him, he was very courteous, very helpful to the college and he has remained a presence in the school,” he said, adding, “and we would be very proud if he becomes President.”

Jaikaransingh said Carmona was involved in the Brother Jerome Foundation, a charitable group to assist students to access books and other study materials.

“If you have two past students who were Prime Ministers and you have one who is a President, you feel you are on top of the world,” Jaikaransingh said proudly. Former Prime Ministers, Basdeo Panday and Patrick Manning attended Presentation College, San Fernando.

According to the school’s records, Carmona’s home address was listed as 14 Dalley Village, Santa Flora, and his father’s occupation was listed as chief clerk at bp Trinidad while his mother was a housewife.